Sheffield restaurant gets go ahead despite noise fears

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CONTROVERSIAL plans for a fast-food restaurant in a Sheffield suburb have been given the green light.

Members of Sheffield Council’s city centre, south and east planning board planning committee agreed unanimously to proposals to build a McDonald’s restaurant in Handsworth, despite a campaign from nearby residents opposing the plan.

More than 100 signatures and 15 letters of objection were submitted in relation to plans for the site between the Aldi supermarket and The Sword Dancer pub in Handsworth Road.

Neighbours were worried about litter, extra traffic and noise from 24-hour opening.

But councillors’ hands were tied by planning laws, coupled with the fact the new restaurant will create 65 new jobs.

Paula Reed-Smith, an acquisitions surveyor for McDonald’s, said: “We are committed to providing local jobs for local people. It will offer a way out of unemployment for a lot of people.

“There have been concerns about litter and we have listened to them.

“Bins are provided to customers and our employees carry out a minimum of three litter patrols every day, not just around the restaurant, but within a half-mile radius of it and we work with communities to tackle the problem. We will also have CCTV to deal with any anti-social behaviour.

“We believe the restaurant would provide a service to the community.”

The committee heard one concern highlighted was that another McDonald’s restaurant operates just two miles away, in Darnall.

Lucy Bond, planning officer for Sheffield Council, said: “The type of named business it is is not a matter for planning.”

Coun Andrew Sangar said: “Clearly there have been concerns, but we have to deal with the application in front of us. There is no reason to turn it down.

“This is an opportunity that will create jobs, so I think we have to support this recommendation.”

Coun Alan Law, board chairman, said: “That area of Sheffield seems to be improving – it is a lot less derelict.”